Export Live Animals to Turkey
Summary of Requirements
All health certificates for U.S.-origin animals and animal genetics destined to Turkey (with the exceptions of bovine semen and day-old poultry) must be endorsed by APHIS no more than 2 days before export. Exporters are advised to schedule health certificate endorsement with their local APHIS endorsement office accordingly.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MinAF) of the Republic of Türkiye has shared the following list of entry ports in Türkiye that are permitted to inspect imported live animals and animal products. Please use this list of approved ports of entry when planning shipments of animals and germplasm.
Effective May 15, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MinAF) of the Republic of Türkiye has temporarily suspended imports of bovine animals from the United States due to HPAI cases in mammals.
- Bulls: Breeding—Health Certificate (304.85 KB) (March 2023)
- Cattle: Female Breeding—Health Certificate (556.61 KB) (March 2023)
- Cattle: Fattening—Health Certificate (325.8 KB) (March 2012)
Bovine Embryos
- Bovine Embryos (In Vivo-Derived)—Health Certificate (192.79 KB) (December 2014)
- To enter EU TRACES, view the List of Currently EU-Approved Bovine Embryo Collection and Production Teams That Meet the Entry Requirements of the Republic of Turkey and then:
- Select "United States (US)."
- Select the Chapter for "Germinal Products."
- Select the relevant Section for in vivo embryos, "Embryo Collection Team."
- Click on the eye icon to produce the list of approved facilities.
- List of Historically EU-Approved Bovine Embryo Collection and Production Teams (Approved Before April 2021) That Meet the Entry Requirements of the Republic of Turkey (scroll down to “II. Embryos,” and click on "United States" PDF links)
Bovine Semen
Effective April 29, 2025, an APHIS-endorsed, U.S.-origin bovine semen certificate is considered valid for 15 days from the date of issuance by the USDA-accredited veterinarian, as noted on the updated health certificate (April 2025).
- Bovine Semen—Health Certificate (693.29 KB) (April 2025)
- Bovine Semen—Annex II, Part 2 (117.38 KB) (January 2006; semen collected, processed, and stored before December 31, 2004, in accordance with Council Directive 88/407/EEC [bilingual English-Turkish])
- List of EU-Approved Bovine Semen Collection Centers and Bovine Semen Storage Centers That Meet the Entry Requirements of the Republic of Turkey (under “I. Semen,” click on "United States" PDF links)
Due to HPAI, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye has imposed trade restrictions on U.S.-origin poultry, day-old chicks, and hatching eggs originating from or transiting through the following States:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
Note: Day-old poultry certificates must be issued by the USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by APHIS on page 6 within 10 days of departure. The USDA-accredited veterinarian must issue Part III. Supplementary health information addendum (page 7) no more than 2 days before export.
- Poultry: Day-Old Chicks—Health Certificate (200.06 KB) (200.06 KB) (December 2014)
- Poultry: Hatching Eggs—Health Certificate (280.74 KB) (280.74 KB) (December 2014)
- Aquaculture: Closed Ornamental Facilities—Health Certificate (206.64 KB) (May 2016)—Ornamental aquatic animals intended for closed ornamental facilities (Annex IV, Part B, Commission Regulation 1012/2012)
APHIS-Registered Aquaculture Export Facility approval is required for the Aquaculture Animals for Farming, Relaying, or Put and Take Fisheries and/or Intended for Open Ornamental Facilities health certificate.
- Aquaculture: Open Ornamental Facilities—Health Certificate (135.95 KB) (May 2016)—Aquaculture animals for farming, relaying, or put and take fisheries and/or intended for open ornamental facilities (Annex IV, Part A, Commission Regulation 1012/2012)
- References:
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 1012/2012 (1.4 MB) (February 2013)
- Directive 2006/88/EC —On page 52 is the list of species susceptible to EHN, Bonamia exitiosa, Perkinsus marinus, Microcytos mackini, taura syndrome, yellowhead disease, VHS, IHN, KHV, ISA, Marteilia refringens, Bonamia ostreae, and white spot disease.
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 346/2010 (1.5 MB) (April 2010)—On page 9 is the list of species susceptible to SVC, BKD, IPN, and Gryodactilys salaris.
- Commercial Movement of Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets for Research Purposes—Health Certificate (321.02 KB) (August 2020)
Taking a Pet to Another Country?
If your species is not listed, the requirements for that species are not known. Exporters who want to ship livestock or germplasm whose requirements are not listed above should have the importer or buyer in the destination country apply for an import permit at the appropriate ministry. This import permit will most likely outline the specific requirements.
Need Help?
USDA-Accredited Veterinarians
Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian for questions about your destination country's entry requirements for animals (including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments) and for issuance of health certificates.
Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian
USDA Endorsement Offices
Contact your nearest APHIS Veterinary Export Trade Services Endorsement Office for questions about endorsing an export health certificate for live animals.